Welcome to my first ever rant on my blog. It's about time I've set this up considering I've had mountains of time to spare just lazing about, trying to sort out my life in a whole other country. And only now I get my ass into gear and the computer will be out of action for the next week or so due to moving house - that is SO typical of me!

Anyhoo... it's the first day in a while that Leeds has seen rain. Not as depressing as I thought it would be as I'm grateful for the beautiful 27degree weather we have been having lately. I knew it wouldn't last.

Though it should be mid-week-crisis (I'm only halfway through the day as I write this - touch wood!) I'm still on a high after last night's work trial at Nando's and the beautiful walk through the Meanwood Valley Trail I took this morning (see Meanwood 15/6/03 for visuals of what I'm going on about) has kept me in good form. The process of finding a job seems to be drawing out over a period of time that is longer than I hoped, but at the same time, it's allowed me to do productful things like build this web site, go househunting, and brush up on my cooking. And though it seems to most that I was putting all my eggs in the one basket going for the Nando's job, I think my instics - I hope! - were right.

I basically kicked arse last night at my trial shift. In four hours I managed to learn how to put the meals together, do a lot of washing up, chat to all the staff, wait on tables, win over some of the customers with my charm and the support of the Leeds Nando's team too, it seems. While tucking into some chicken wings and salad, the two managers - Paul and Andy - sat me down for a chat. They asked me how I went and how I rated myself, what I thought of the place and a few other interrogating questions. Once my spiel was done they actually said that I was the best person out of the five trials they had held this past week. They liked the fact I had got in there and tried my luck at all the different jobs, and the fact that I am as talkative as they are.

Unfortunately, as much as they loved me, the job is still not set in stone. The process is that the whole crew that night fill out evaluation forms about my performance and interaction. They get faxed to the main office where I am considered for training, ie. a job. But the chances are more that I'll get it than that I won't - I can only keep hoping and praying that my instincts aren't failing me yet. Trouble is, after last night, I want this job even more than I did before! Damn them and their good working environments! ;)

In other news, it shouldn't be long before Dave and I sadly leave Meanwood. He and Amit (Dave's old and now future flatmate) have applied for a well kept and decorated two-bedroom terrace in Chapel Allerton. As Dave and I were told we have to leave this house earlier than anticipated, the idea is that we move into the new house on Saturday, as long as the credit checks are done in time. Again, more hoping and praying! Otherwise, it's back to living out of a suitcase for another week or so, and crashing on some unsuspecting victim's floor.

That is why I warn that though this is the first rant, there might not be another for at least a fortnight. I hope my pictures keep you somewhat entertained until then! I'm sure I'll have plenty to report as in the next week, other than moving, it is my birthday on Tuesday (23 here I come!) and a few outings are also in store (wah-hey! a social life!).

So for now, it's over and out from me.

x
Vanessa

PS. One bad thing did occur today - Justin Timberlake tickets are sold out in Manchester for December - damn those teenyboppers! At this rate, I'll NEVER see JT!